Final answer:
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was a key event that ignited the French Revolution, symbolizing the rise of the common people, while the execution of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793, marked the end of the monarchy and led to the radical period of the Reign of Terror.
Step-by-step explanation:
Storming of the Bastille vs Execution of King Louis XVI
The storming of the Bastille occurred on July 14, 1789, and was a significant event that symbolized the downfall of the monarchy and the rise of the common people in the French Revolution. It involved the attack on the Bastille, a fortress-prison in Paris that had come to represent royal authority.
The event became iconic for its role in demonstrating the power of the masses and is now commemorated as France's national holiday.
On the other hand, the execution of King Louis XVI took place later, on January 21, 1793. Found guilty of treason by the National Convention, Louis XVI was sentenced to death by guillotine. His execution marked the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the French Republic. The period following his death, known as the Reign of Terror, was characterized by extreme violence and the execution of many perceived enemies of the Revolution.
While the storming of the Bastille represented the burgeoning revolutionary spirit and the people's desire to shed the yoke of monarchy, the execution of King Louis XVI culminated in the establishment of the French Republic but also ushered in a period of heightened radicalism and bloodshed.